The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Comparing Philadelphia 76ers 1983 NBA Champs vs. 2018 roster

By Bret Stuter

PHILADELPHIA,PA - MARCH 24 : Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center on March 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA,PA - MARCH 24 : Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers dunks the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Wells Fargo Center on March 24, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA,PA – MARCH 28 : Dario Saric
PHILADELPHIA,PA – MARCH 28 : Dario Saric /

Power Forward Marc Iavaroni vs. Dario Saric

Few will remember Marc Iavaroni from that 1983 NBA Championship roster.  In short, he was the defensive guru for the Philadelphia 76ers. And much like the modern day Robert Covington, that means his greatest plays never made it to the scoreboard. In fact, his best plays kept opponents off the scoreboard as well.

Dario Saric is the tortoise in the tortoise and the hare fable. He is not the most athletic, fast, or powerful player. But he’s NBA savvy, and he can deliver in virtually every NBA statistical category. While Iavaroni ended his NBA career at 4.4 points and 3.2 rebounds, he was the right defensive specialist amidst the scoring offense of the 1982-1983 Philadelphia 76ers.

Dario does versatility

Power forward Dario Saric gives the Philadelphia 76ers enough versatility to exploit an advantage somewhere on the court. If Saric has the ball on offense, he can score from anywhere, or dish out an assist to the open shooter.  And he’s just in his second season.

While Iavaroni had a very specific role to fill, defend, Saric fills in the 2018 76ers lineup whereever he is needed. And on any given night, he can be needed anywhere.  Perhaps the most incredible feat of Saric this season is improving his three-point shot from 31 percent to nearly 40 percent. That perimeter shooting makes this Philadelphia 76ers very difficult to defend if everyone is playing their best.